Archive for March 31, 2020

Let Some People Die?

The news is shocking–in New York it has been suggested that medical teams think carefully about who they give their limited number of life-saving ventilators to. If it likely won’t save the person’s life, the argument goes, why not give it to someone who has a real chance to live?

This sounds heartless, especially if the sick person is someone you love. But this is nothing new. It goes on in hospitals often, when equipment is scarce or prolonging life just for the sake of prolonging life, no matter what quality of life will result, is questioned.

I’m a product of that decision. In the 1940s, polio gripped our nation. I was 3 years old. I was very sick, because I had all three types of polio at once (we found out later, since nobody knew back then that there actually were three types). Iron lungs were scarce. It was fairly certain that I would die. So they gave the iron lung to another child who would clearly benefit from it.

Obviously, I survived. The ordeal was very hard on my parents, but I feel it was the right decision. Otherwise, it could have meant not just my death, despite my use of the iron lung, but also the death of the other child who was deprived of it.

My message is this: medical teams, along with putting their own lives in danger treating patients with the coronavirus, have to make quick, difficult decisions. They’re doing all they can do to save as many people as possible. I don’t judge their actions, because I’m thankful for all they’re doing.

The Perfect Answer for Beach-Goers

People have been flocking to beaches for Spring break, secure in the belief that they’re too young and healthy to catch the virus and not worried about passing it on to others. Begging, educating, and arresting aren’t doing the trick. But I bet this would work.

An Uplift

So many of us are sheltering in place, feeling on the edge of depression. Being alone for a long time brings our spirits down. On the other hand, so many other people we know are going through the same thing, and we do have phones, email, Zoom, Messenger, and lots of other modes of communication. Let today’s Thursday Thought quote get you going.

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” — Booker T. Washington

Fun Ways to Measure Six Feet

Put your tape measure away. There are other ways to enforce that six-foot safe zone that keeps the coronavirus from reaching from the other person to you. CNN has put together a list of effective–yet fun–ways to determine what six feet actually is. We need this information, of course, but equally important is that we need this bit of levity. Go to https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/health/six-feet-social-distance-explainer-coronavirus-wellness/index.html

Do NOT Tolerate Price Gouging!

By now you’ve heard of some of the sellers who are taking advantage of shortages during the current virus pandemic (over $100 for a bottle of hand sanitizer on Amazon.com ?!). Most stores are not doing that, but a few are. REPORT THEM!

Image may contain: possible text that says 'HOW TO REPORT PRICE GOUGING File a complaint through the Attorney General's office Call (800) 952-5225 Itis It illegal to price gouge during a declared state of emergency. Violators face a punishment of up to one year county jail and/or fine up to $10,000. Civic penalties include up to $5,000 per violation. 10'

Unshrink Your Life

As so many of us are living in forced isolation, away from face-to-face contact with other humans, we have more time to think. Which isn’t always a good thing, because we allow fears to creep in, fear of an unknown future for us and out loved ones. I offer today’s Thursday Thought quote to give you an antidote–a way to expand your life rather than to allow it to contract.

Prayer for a Pandemic

(Source Unknown)

Warning: Coronavirus Scams

So many people are doing so many kind, generous things for others during this coronavirus danger. But there are always those who want to take advantage. Read the HuffPost article Please Don’t Believe These Coronavirus Scams And Advice and be warned about hand sanitizers, herbal supplements and cures, drinking water, latex gloves, and more.

By the way, they explain why those deliveries you get from China may actually be safe.

The Cost of that Burger

Many of us, knowing how much it costs our environment to eat beef hamburgers, are trying veggie burgers and “impossible burgers.” The question is, though, which of these is better? This article, Which is the Greenest Burger, compares costs in terms of greenhouse emissions, water and land use, and genetically modified ingredients.

We Need Our Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell represents our nation’s aspirations.  It’s good to think about it from time to time, especially now, when we need to focus on unity, not division.  Here are a couple of interesting facts about it.

Crack: Nobody knows for sure when or how the crack happened. It’s been the center of much speculation, though, based less on fact and more on symbolism. One theory is that it cracked when our nation divided itself from Britain—during the Revolutionary War.  Another is that it happened during Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral. Despite little formal education, he rose to have great judicial influence on the direction of our country.

Ring: It hasn’t rung since 1846, during George Washington’s birthday.  Maybe it had done its job.  It was erected in 1752 and first rung when the Declaration of Independence was first read in 1776.  We were totally independent when we had our first President.

Anyway, I think it’s time to cherish such icons as the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty, to remember we really are—all of us — “one nation under God,” and we should stop our bickering, hatred, and cruelty to each other and reunite as a nation.